ERMUSR HANDOUT #1 06-12-2012 - Laserfiche WebLink

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group at the 2011 APPA Legislative Rally. Sen. Klobuchar was one of the few Democrats to vote for a delay the implementation of the Boiler 16 n ACT. RICE — Reciprocating Internal Com- bustion Engines. The EPA Reciprocat- ing Internal Combustion Engines rule sets onerous new standards for small diesel generators, which are owned and operated by many MMUA mem- bers and other members of the pub- lic power community. This new rule would have an adverse impact on several smaller communities. MMUA Washington Representative Michael Nolan, at podium, briefs the MMUA t1 t . t C I t' • Cooperation with APPA. MMUA has con ngen prior o worked closely with both APPA and EPA on this issue, including participation in an EPA hearing and hiring outside counsel to assist in drafting extensive comments on the proposed rule. e Letters from the Minnesota Delegation. MMUA worked closely with Sen. Klobuchar's office to secure a letter sent to EPA that voiced our concerns over the rulemaking. Key Min- nesota Representatives Collin Peterson and Tim Walz sent Wilar letters to the EPA following efforts by MMUA. Captive Rail. With the GOP takeover of the new 112th Con- gress, and slimmer margins for the Democrats in the Senate, chances of passing legislation to repeal the antitrust exemp- tion for the rail industry and reform the Surface Transporta- tion Board remain slim. However, efforts this year to stay on track, supported by MMUA, APPA, and a coalition of inter- ested stakeholders, have led to positive movement on the captive rail issue. Local problems with BNSF purchase. At the APPA Rally and in other venues, MMUA has urged STB review of the acquisition premium paid during the purchase of Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad (BNSF). e Sen. Franken presented testimony at the recent STB rail customer hearing on behalf of captive customers and led two Senate letters to the STB voicing concerns over the BNSF issue; Sen. Klobuchar signed onto both letters. Dodd -Frank /CFTC. In 2010, Congress passed the mas- sive and controversial financial regulatory reform bill, now &own for its two main authors, Sen. Dodd and Rep. Frank. ce then Congress has been overseeing the law's imple- mentation at several key regulatory agencies, including the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, SEC, and FERC. our ongressiona mee � .5— Dodd -Frank could have a huge impact on the electric util- ity industry in several areas, including over - the - counter de- rivatives, new margin requirements for swaps, definition! of financial advisors, and possible new regulatory authority over public power entities. e MMUA filed comments with the SEC seeking to overturn a provision in the proposed rules that would have required ar appointed commissioner serving on a municipal utility gov- erning body to register with the SEC as a financial advisor. e Expressions of concern. MMUA, working with APPA and APGA, has continued to work with key members of the MN congressional delegation, including Rep. Peterson, to ex- press concerns with the new law. PMAs. Recent threats to the DOE's Power Marketing Ad- ministration (PMA) program originated with the Simpson - Bowles presidential commission on the deficit, which would cause PMAs to lose their cost -based operating status and perhaps move to market -based rates. This move would have major economic and political consequences for cus- tomers of the Western Area Power Administration (WAPA). MMUA works to defend PMAs. As Senate leaders dis- cussed utilizing the PMA program for deficit reduction pur- poses, MMUA worked with Sen. Klobuchar's office to re- inforce the importance of WAPA and the PMAs to Senate budget leaders. 2011 Year in Review - E